Fri Aug 29 10:04:54 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:**

**Summary:**

Thailand’s Constitutional Court has removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office after just one year due to an ethics violation related to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen. The court ruled she prioritized personal interests over the nation. This decision throws Thailand into political turmoil, as Paetongtarn is the sixth Shinawatra-backed leader to be ousted. A new prime minister must now be elected by parliament, a process fraught with difficulty due to a fragile ruling coalition and a strong opposition. This political instability comes at a time of economic concerns and stalled reforms.

**News Article:**

**Thailand’s Prime Minister Ousted in Ethics Scandal, Political Turmoil Ensues**

**BANGKOK (August 29, 2025) -** Thailand is once again plunged into political uncertainty after the Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office on Friday. The ruling, based on an ethics violation stemming from a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen, brings a premature end to Shinawatra’s one-year term and marks another blow to the influential Shinawatra political dynasty.

The court found that Shinawatra, 39, prioritized her personal relationship with Hun Sen over national interests during a period of heightened border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The leaked June call suggested she was willing to act in accordance with Cambodian wishes, undermining public confidence in her leadership, the court said.

Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has apologized for the call, claiming she was attempting to prevent war. However, the court’s 6-3 decision underscores the ongoing power struggle between elected Shinawatra-backed governments and powerful conservative factions.

The ouster triggers a complex process to elect a new prime minister. With Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party holding a slim majority in parliament, forming a new coalition and reaching a consensus on a successor will be challenging. Potential candidates include Pheu Thai’s Chaikasem Nitisiri, former Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, and Anutin Charnvirakul, who previously withdrew his party from the ruling coalition.

Political analysts warn that the uncertainty comes at a critical time for Thailand, which is facing economic headwinds and public discontent over stalled reforms. A weak coalition government could face constant challenges from a strong opposition pushing for early elections. “Appointing a new prime minister…will be difficult and may take considerable time,” said Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University.

For now, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will oversee the government in a caretaker capacity until a new leader is elected. The future direction of Thailand remains uncertain as the country navigates this latest chapter of political upheaval.

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